Posts
5488
Joined
1/20/2009
Location
Kirkland, WA, USA
Edited Date/Time
8/5/2012 8:28am
All this talk about who's going to the MXdN has me thinking about the politics involved in the decision making involved... So who is it that get to decide who goes and who doesn't? Is it just DeCoster?
I just kind of find it funny that an actual team manager is the manager for the US still. I know he has for quite a while now, but something just doesn't seem right about it.
Let someone like Bob Hannah or Rick Johnson or Ron Lechien or.... Well you get the point.
I just kind of find it funny that an actual team manager is the manager for the US still. I know he has for quite a while now, but something just doesn't seem right about it.
Let someone like Bob Hannah or Rick Johnson or Ron Lechien or.... Well you get the point.
Barcia- Of course the kids not gonna get the nod if Payton is a team-picker-guy. He took a title from him this year already. And if he gets the 450 ride behind Dungey then well...that's some bullshit.
Bubba- DeCoster said he was "Up- and- down" but the truth is that Dungey was a Second place rider before Colorado. Just seemed like an unfair statement to make when such a weird event happened considering how solid bubba was riding before that.
Dungey- DeCoster is his manager... Seems kinda lopsided.
Baggett- Has everything going for him. 1. He hasn't messed with Dungey in the 450 class which makes DeCoster happy (even though hes beating Roczen and Musquin)
2. Mitch is probably super happy with him I'm sure thus far this season.
Tomac- DeCoster probably thinks hes inconsistent too. Oh and he took a title from Payton...
Hey, Shorty doesn't piss anyone off at all. Why not pick him again.
If Bubba comes back for Southwick and wins/comes second, then he should be picked. But it doesn't sound like it will happen at this stage.
IMO, Barcia should be picked over Alessi. What class they are in now should not be a factor for the MX3 ride
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The fact is not everyone can go. America has the enviable problem of having to choose amongst several top riders who could all make a great argument for being on the team.
6 wins as a racer and about 20 wins as U.S. team manager, is that what doesn't seem right about it?
Yes, let's get some one with a better record, huh?
Really?
Having a current team manager do the job makes perfect sense. They know all the riders and see them compete on a regular basis. Ex champions like Hannah, Johnson and Lechien may have a lot to offer but they would have to be at every National to be up to speed with RD and Mitch.
If you are implying that there may be some favoritism then you haven't been paying attention for the past 30 years.
When it comes to MXdN, ISDE, TdN riders and supporters put aside personal interests and become Team USA. That is what makes it special.
One thing to remember is that RD has deep connections with the Euro racing community. That means he gets all kinds of logistics help- from practice tracks to transportation to hospitality. If you can imagine the support required for three pro racers on different brand of bikes to succeed at an event halfway around the world- it's impressive this guy can arrange all that basically in his 'spare' time.
Reasonable people can disagree, especially with all the options the US is blessed to have, but you have to concede there probably not anyone else with the depth of experience to apply his judgment.
And RD has the input of other people; it's a consensus pick, not his unilateral option.
The notion that Mitch wouldn't support a rider who has bested someone on is team is ridiculous. Some people need to spend less time in their minds if it leads to thinking that sort of stuff up.
I know we are lucky to have RD as a manager. I guess I was just wondering how the process of picking team riders to represent the team went and all that.
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